Her Big Sky Cowboy

by Alissa Callen

  She smiled at the emotion deepening Zane’s voice that let her knew how moved he was that Finn had spoken.

  Trinity flipped the pancake before collecting a plate from the nearby cupboard. She glanced out the oversized windows to the sweeping valley views. The early-morning clouds had dispersed and sunshine now brushed the granite tops of the high-country peaks. It was going to be another beautiful day, perfect for bug watching and swimming in the creek. Loneliness burrowed deep into her bones. But by this afternoon she’d be back in her silent Marietta house with no meadows to explore and no little shadow to talk to.

  She placed Zane’s pancake before him and he thanked her with a nod.

  “Room for one more?” she asked Finn. He went to shake his head and then spoke. “No, thanks.”

  She rewarded his good talking with a smile.

  “While Zane eats, why don’t you tell him about what we did when he was away?”

  Finn nodded, pulled a ladybird plate toward him and held it up for Zane to see. As their quiet conversation ebbed and flowed behind her, Trinity finished off the pancake batter. She placed a stack of pancakes in the middle of the table and sat across from Finn and Zane. She ate while Finn explained to Zane about how they’d lifted rocks and examined the bugs underneath.

  Outside the kitchen door Milly barked. Finn pushed back his chair and looked at Trinity.

  “Okay. Off you go.”

  She pushed aside a flutter of awareness that with Finn going outside this would be the first time that she and Zane would be alone together. Finn’s normal routine after breakfast was to water the mix of wildflower seeds they’d planted in an old wheelbarrow they’d found in the barn and then play with Milly. The backyard was scattered with an assortment of boots, sticks and half-eaten balls. The Jack Russell may look as though she was fully grown but she had the energy of a pup.

  Finn gave Trinity a quick hug and then hugged Zane. In their tight embrace Trinity saw all the love the silent cowboy held for his ward. With their eyes closed, and their differing eye colors masked, their face shape and high cheekbones appeared almost identical.

  Her breath caught in her throat. All her earlier vague thoughts and impressions crystallized into a single truth. No wonder Zane’s smile reminded her of someone. Finn wasn’t just Zane’s ward. Finn had to be Zane’s … son.

  Did Zane know? He had to. She’d seen enough fathers and sons for her instincts to tell her Zane loved Finn like a true son.

  Finn’s boots rang on the kitchen floor as he raced to the door but Zane didn’t watch him leave. Instead his gaze narrowed and zeroed in on Trinity’s face.

  “You know?” he said, voice low and strained.

  She nodded slowly. “Does Finn?”

  “Yes, he does. Now.” A muscle worked in Zane’s rigid jaw. “Marlisa left a note. It turns out that when she ran off with Russ she was pregnant. She’d hoped Finn was Russ’ but when he was born she knew he wasn’t. He looked too much like me.”

  “Did Russ know?”

  “I don’t think he did, at first. Russ had mumps as a teenager and when they tried to have another child, it couldn’t happen.” Zane scraped a hand through his hair. “My brother and I weren’t close. He made sure I never saw Finn so wouldn’t work out he was my son. But he did love him and for that I am forever grateful.”

  Pain slashed grooves beside Zane’s mouth telling her of his sorrow and hurt at missing the early years of Finn’s life.

  “Ivy still calls you Finn’s uncle, so not everyone knows?”

  “That’s right. Quite a few people do know, and I suspect Ivy does as Rhett knows, but we aren’t making it public knowledge yet. Finn doesn’t have the words to explain the situation and as it is, he hates the attention not talking already brings him.”

  “That makes sense and I won’t bring it up unless Finn does.”

  “Thanks.” Zane returned to eating his pancake, his expression settling into familiar remote lines.

  Trinity too concentrated on her pancake. Zane’s emotional withdrawal was only natural. He’d said far more than he usually did, plus he’d disclosed deeply personal information. He’d now need space to regroup.

  She snuck a glance at him. Was it any wonder he locked away his emotions and his words? On so many levels his trust had been abused. His mother had abandoned him. His girl had run off with his brother and then his son had been kept from him. All she had to put up with was a domineering and disapproving father and red roses from a man who’d refused to recognize the word ‘no’.

  Tapping on the glass window caused her to look up. Finn stood outside, a big grin on his face and holding a homemade kite decorated in bug stickers. She and Zane both waved before Finn dashed off, the kite flying behind him.

  “Finn’s going to miss you too,” Zane said, tone grave. “Whatever you’ve done to help him talk, thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. I didn’t do much, just model good talking and provide plenty of opportunities for Finn to practice.”

  Still Zane stared at her. His lean fingers wrapped around his fork as it lay on the table as though he’d forgotten about his pancake.

  “You’ve done more than you know.”

  “It’s actually Finn who’s done all the work. I’ve just encouraged him.”

  His jaw again appeared tight but when he spoke, his words were casual. “So what are your plans for the rest of the summer before your August science camp?”

  “To be honest I’m not sure. I might take some walks to see the wildflowers and visit Ivy to do some more horseback riding and wedding planning. If it was okay, I’d also like to see Finn?”

  “Yes. He’d like that too.” Zane hesitated. “Would you consider … staying on here? You’d be close to Ivy, the hollyhocks will be soon out and I’ve a mare that needs exercising.”

  Trinity searched his impassive features. Was his offer genuine? And would she be out of her mind if she accepted? She wasn’t looking forward to a summer spent in the confines of her Marietta home. The happiness of spending more time with Finn became tempered by a flurry of nerves she’d also see more of Zane. She hadn’t yet perfected the art of remaining cool and collected while around him. “I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You wouldn’t, just like you also wouldn’t be tied to Finn. You can come and go as you please and stay for however long you wanted.” He hesitated. “You make him happy and maybe when the summer ends he’ll talk more and be ready for school?”

  It was the rasp of uncertainly in Zane’s voice that made the decision for her. As tough and as rugged as the cowboy was, when it came to his son he was simply a man powerless to help the person he loved. She swallowed. She knew such a feeling.

  She’d stood up for her sister in the schoolyard when she’d been bullied for stuttering. She couldn’t remember a time when she hadn’t talked for Meredith and shielded her from ridicule. But as much as she’d loved and protected her younger sister, she hadn’t been able to truly help. Thankfully in Meredith’s junior year a teacher had recommended a speech therapist and Meredith had received the professional help she needed. Now Trinity paid forward such help when she worked with her own small clients.

  She drew a quick breath. “I’d love to stay. Thank you.”

  *

  Zane gripped the fork so hard the metal bent. He may have just done the best thing for Finn but he’d done the worst thing possible for himself.

  He’d let concern for Finn, the perceptiveness of a caring woman and a kitchen that smelled of pancakes and felt like the home he’d wished he’d had as a kid, push himself into making a rash offer. An offer that sentenced himself to a summer of Trinity Redfern’s company.

  He’d worked himself to exhaustion over the past days not because he had cows and calves to move to their mountain pastures but because every idle minute all he could think about was her. The warmth of her quick smile, the fullness of her curves and the changeable green depths of her eyes.

  He relaxed his clamped grip on the fork
. Green eyes that missed nothing, least of all that Finn was his son, and were now centered on him, weighing and assessing his response.

  “Great. Finn will be excited.” He came to his feet. “Remember you’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”

  “Thanks.”

  He collected his plate, his pancake unfinished. His appetite had deserted him. Trinity was more effective than a jab of truth serum. Yet again he’d run off at the mouth and brought himself a whole truckload of trouble. But he owed it to Finn to do all that he could to help him.

  Trinity rose too and together they crossed to the sink. Today she was again the stylish speech therapist he’d locked eyes with at the bonfire. She wore a white dress splashed with pink rosebuds. A narrow pink belt hugged her waist and pink sandals matched the gleam of varnish on her toes. Fresh and pretty, any cowboy, let alone any unattached Marietta male, would have her in their sights. Maybe Rhett had it wrong she was single?

  They sat their plates on the sink and their bare forearms touched. He froze. The whisper-soft contact was enough to send the blood thrumming through his veins. A woman’s touch didn’t usually race through him like wildfire. He carefully lowered his arm and breathed deeply. But all he did was inhale the scent of flowers.

  Trinity turned toward him. Her heavy brown hair slid over her shoulder as she tilted her head to look into his face. A lazy curl clung to her cheek and he ached to brush it away. His hand fisted by his side. It’d been so long since his fingers had slid through the silken softness of a woman’s hair. And even then there never was time for his touch to linger. Since Marlisa, he’d made a point of never staying the night with a woman.

  Trinity tucked the curl behind her ear. “Finn and I weren’t expecting you back until lunchtime so hope it’s okay but I’ve planned a trip to Marietta this morning.”

  He nodded, transferring his weight onto his heels to put a little more distance between them. Trinity stood a socially acceptable distance away but he couldn’t risk any more accidental contact between them. His testosterone fixated on how it would feel to have her mouth beneath his.

  Her attention focused on his neglected hair. “I’ve booked Finn a haircut with Mandy and she said she can fit you in if you were around?”

  He raised a self-conscious hand and touched the back of his head. “I’m fine.”

  Her eyebrow arched. “I know cowboys like longer hair but you’ll be able to braid yours soon. Mandy did ask if you were still alive as she hasn’t seen you since the fall.”

  The curve of Trinity’s lips shouldn’t make him feel like smiling too. “Mandy said that, huh?”

  “Yes and a few other things I won’t repeat.” Trinity’s gaze slid to the rip in his shirt where he’d snagged it on a fence freeing a deer. “She did suggest that if I can rope you into coming with Finn I should also march you to Marietta Western Wear.”

  He gave into the urge to smile. “It’s been a while since I visited town for something other than ranch supplies. This is my good shirt but I guess it has seen better days and I could do with some new ones.”

  “Sorry to break the news your good shirt’s better days are far behind it.”

  Before he could move away she reached out and toyed with the rip that lay across his heart. Her fingertips slid through the gap in the shirt fabric and brushed his skin. He swayed into her touch even as he tried to stay still.

  “In some circles a rip like this would be considered fashionable but Marietta’s street style is far more western than edgy.”

  Her hand lowered and his senses mourned the loss of her warmth. Cheeks a pale shade of pink, she stepped back to consider the tear that gaped above his knee and another larger rip on his thigh.

  “Let me guess, these are your good jeans too?”

  He shook his head. “My second-best pair. My best Wranglers have one rip.”

  Her lips quirked. “Well, that’s a relief.” Her gaze lingered on the tear on his thigh. “You do know Milly likes to grab hold of jean hems and play tug-o-war? If she latches onto your right leg, your second-best Wranglers will become your best cut-offs.”

  He nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Her attention on his thigh guaranteed his voice would emerge husky. The last thing he needed was a speech expert knowing the effect she had on him.

  Her eyes returned to his. “So, are you cowboy enough to brave Marietta and Mandy with us?”

  He shouldn’t agree. Hank might have the ranch running like a well-oiled machine but there were always things to be done. Besides he was a heartbeat away from proving how much of a cowboy he was by kissing her. The last thing he needed was more time in her company. But he never backed away from a challenge.

  He felt in his jeans pocket for his pickup keys. “Only if I drive.”

  *

  An hour later, when Zane stepped into the hair salon and Mandy blasted him with a gleeful grin, he regretted his impulsive words. He’d never done anything rash or reckless until Trinity Redfern entered his orbit. He should be back at Hollyhock Creek matching wits with Diablo not standing in a perfumed hair salon.

  “You’re a miracle worker,” Mandy said to Trinity as she slid a chair out from in front of a mirror. “So who’s going first?”

  Trinity gave him a small nudge with her elbow. “Big cowboys before they bolt to Grey’s Saloon.”

  He frowned. He’d never run from anything in his life and he wasn’t starting now. He walked toward the chair that Mandy stood beside holding a black cape like a matador. He sat, his frown deepening as he removed his Stetson. Mandy took his hat and tut-tutted at the state of his hair. She swung the light cape over him and the smell of perfume increased. He briefly closed his eyes.

  “So you’re Zane Nash,” Mandy said, tone teasing, as she waved a spray bottle in his direction and doused him in fine water droplets.

  He met Trinity’s laughing gaze in the mirror. Finn stood by her side, his hand in hers, eyes curious.

  “I was last time I looked.”

  Mandy grinned and started snipping. Dark hair fell onto the floor beside his scuffed boots.

  “Little wonder I’ve forgotten what you look like, you could be a stranger under all this hair.”

  Trinity moved closer, Finn by her side. “While Mandy works her magic, Finn and I’ll head to Java Cafe for coffee and a treat.” She grinned. “Have fun.”

  Zane grunted and hunkered down deep into the chair, waiting for the ordeal to end. Already his ears felt cold.

  Chapter Five

  ‡

  A coffee to go in each hand, Trinity maneuvered the hair salon door open. She held the heavy door ajar for Finn to enter. He walked through, sucking on the straw of a large milkshake. His contented expression warmed her heart. It’d taken him five minutes to decide on the strawberry flavor but she’d been so proud when he’d used his words to place the order himself.

  She followed Finn and glanced around the corner to where she’d left Mandy and Zane, but the chair was empty and the floor swept clean. Mandy was now rearranging shampoo bottles on a nearby shelf.

  “Don’t tell me Zane bolted the minute my back was turned?” Trinity asked, tone wry as Mandy approached. “And to think I brought him a coffee.”

  “I’ll have that coffee, thanks. A cowboy never bolts,” a familiar deep voice said to her right.

  She swung around, coffee drops splashing onto her hand.

  Zane put down the glossy farm machinery magazine he’d been reading in a chair on the far side of the salon and stood.

  This time Trinity made sure her mouth didn’t hang open. Gone was the disheveled cowboy she arrived with. Sure, Zane’s clothes might be ripped and boots scuffed but she couldn’t look away from his face to notice.

  He strode toward her. Hair cropped short, he was all-sorts of gorgeous. High-cheekbones and strong-jawed gorgeous. Grey-eyed and thick-lashed gorgeous. Mr. Right gorgeous.

  For once she couldn’t think of a single thing to say.

  “So about my coffee?”


  It took her a second to realize Zane had both spoken and smiled.

  “Um, yes.” She offered him the coffee she held in her right hand. “Beth told me this is what you usually order.”

  “Thanks.”

  She passed the other coffee to Mandy. “This one is for you.”

  “Thanks, I need a caffeine hit after visiting Payton last night. Cordell’s new dog, Bella, had puppies and it’s exhausting keeping them out of mischief.” She took a quick sip of her coffee. “Okay, Finn, my man, your turn now.”

  “Okay.”

  Finn sucked on his straw until the loud noise of empty air indicated he’d finished. He handed Trinity his milkshake container and, eyes wary, looked toward the chair. He made no move to walk over.

  Trinity touched his shoulder. “Everything will be all right,” she said, glancing toward Zane, “we’ll both be here.”

  Zane nodded.

  Finn looked at Trinity again before heading for the chair and clambering on. The tense line of his tiny shoulders relaxed under the cape as Mandy chatted and trimmed his hair.

  When she was sure Finn was okay, Trinity moved to put his milkshake container in the trash and to wash off the coffee droplets at a nearby sink. She gave herself a mental shake.

  She had to stop staring at Zane. She shouldn’t be fascinated at his transformation just like she shouldn’t feel the urge to curl her fingers around the base of his neck and up into his thick, short hair. He was still the same person he was before his haircut. Their strong wills still rendered them incompatible, and he was a man who’d have trouble trusting.

  But ever since she’d accidently touched his chest in the kitchen, her hormones had refused to listen to reason. She should have known the tear in his shirt would give way so her fingertips would graze the hot, firm muscles below. And one touch hadn’t been enough. She’d wanted more. The need to slip her hands under his shirt and over his golden skin had been so strong she’d taken a step away.

  She snuck another look across to where he stood, hip against the wall, close to Finn. Except it wasn’t his son he was watching.